Articles from Fidelity Investments

According to Fidelity Investments®, 2025 New Year’s Financial Resolutions study, Americans are looking ahead to a year of ‘living practically.’ At the end of a year where Americans have continued to feel the impact of inflation and the high cost-of-living, the majority of Americans are entering 2025 sensibly, with nearly two-thirds (65%) considering a financial resolution for the year ahead.

According to the Fidelity Investments®’ latest Q3 2024 retirement analysis, retirement savers experienced another quarter of growth thanks to continuing strong contribution levels and positive market conditions, with 401(k) and 403(b) account balances reaching the highest average on record. Additionally, Gen X-ers1 continue to make positive strides with retirement savings, with increases in both IRA contributions and the number of IRA accounts receiving contributions.

According to the Fidelity Investments® State of Wealth Mobility study, which examines how Americans are faring on building their wealth, respondents across income and asset levels agree people need to improve their comfort level about discussing family finances. More than half (56%) say their parents never discussed money with them, yet the majority (81%) would have benefited from financial education at an earlier age. Encouragingly, most Americans today are changing course, with 4-out-of-5 saying it’s important to talk to the young people in their lives about the subject—and two-thirds are actively engaging in those conversations.

Fidelity Investments® today announced the launch of five actively managed equity ETFs: Fidelity® Enhanced U.S. All-Cap Equity ETF (FEAC), Fidelity® Enhanced Emerging Markets ETF (FEMR), Fidelity® Fundamental Developed International ETF (FFDI), Fidelity® Fundamental Global ex-U.S. ETF (FFGX), and Fidelity® Fundamental Emerging Markets ETF (FFEM). The Enhanced and Fundamental ETFs are listed on NYSE and Cboe, respectively, and are available commission-free for individual investors and financial advisors through Fidelity’s online brokerage platforms today. The five new ETFs build upon Fidelity’s Enhanced ETF suite which launched in November 2023 and its Fundamental ETF suite which launched in February 2024.

More women are taking control of their finances and investing than ever before, according to new research from Fidelity Investments®. Fidelity’s 2024 Women & Investing Study finds 7-in-10 women own investments in the stock market, an 18% increase compared to 2023. While younger generations continue to invest in higher numbers, the percentage of Gen X and Boomer women who invest in the stock market jumped the most year-over-year, increasing 18% and 23% respectively. This trend also holds true among Fidelity customers – the number of women retail customers has grown more than 20% over the past two years.1

According to the Fidelity Investments®’ latest Q2 2024 retirement analysis, retirement savers experienced the third quarter in a row of growth – a continuation of the strong contribution levels and positive market conditions that have driven average account balances to record-high levels. Gen X1, in particular, made strong gains with their retirement savings, with current IRA contributions the highest observed in the last five years.

Fidelity Investments® announced today the findings from its 15th annual Plan Sponsor Attitudes Study, highlighting how evolving advisor expertise is meeting sponsors’ expanding needs and, in turn, driving positive plan results and record satisfaction amongst plan sponsors.

Fidelity Investments® today shared its 23rd annual Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate, revealing that a 65-year-old retiring this year can expect to spend an average of $165,000 in health care and medical expenses throughout retirement2. Fidelity’s 2024 estimate is up nearly 5% over 2023 and has more than doubled from its inaugural estimate in 2002.

Furthering its commitment to serving wealth management firms of all sizes, Fidelity Investments today announced two new technology offerings developed specifically for smaller and mid-sized registered investment advisors (RIAs) looking to establish and grow their business. The all-in-one technology stack and the advisory bundle featuring FMAX Essentials, a new, streamlined managed account platform, each aim to reduce two common technology barriers for smaller firms: resources and cost.

American families say they’re committed to saving for college despite rising costs and the impact of inflation as data from Fidelity Investments® 2024 College Savings Indicator Study reveals saving for college is a priority now more than ever. Nearly 3-in-4 parents (74%) have started saving in 2024 compared to 58% in 2007, when the study was first conducted, and the majority (77%) agree the value of a college education is worth the cost. Even so, 30% aren’t sure what college will cost by the time their child enrolls and more than half (55%) use “their own best guess” to estimate costs.

Amid the rising cost of college and inflation, Massachusetts families say saving for college is a priority now more than ever, according to data from Fidelity Investments® and MEFA’s (Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority) 2024 College Savings Indicator Study. Nearly 8-in-10 Massachusetts parents have started saving in 2024 compared to 70% in 2018, and the majority (89%) agree the value of a college education is worth the cost. Even so, 32% aren’t sure what college will cost by the time their child enrolls and 41% use “their own best guess” to estimate costs.

Fidelity Investments and Envestnet (NYSEENV) today announced the expansion of their 20+ year relationship to deliver a comprehensive wealth and advisory solution that builds on the success of Fidelity Managed Account Xchange® (FMAX), Fidelity’s wealth management platform, and the firms’ long-standing collaboration that has grown to more than $500 billion across managed accountsi.

According to the latest retirement data from Fidelity Investments®’ Q1 2024 retirement analysis, record-high contribution levels coupled with positive market conditions pushed average account balances to their highest levels since the fourth quarter of 2021. Long-term savers observed the greatest improvement, which is good news, especially for the more than 4.9 million workers that have been in their 401(k) plan for five years or more.

Saifr®, a compliance solutions provider that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help financial services firms mitigate regulatory risks, today announced expanded AI capabilities that help firms develop compliant, marketing-optimized content more efficiently.

Saifr®, a compliance solutions provider that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help financial services firms mitigate regulatory risks, won Most Innovative AI in Regulatory Compliance Initiative in A-Team Group’s Innovation Awards 2024.

Fidelity Investments® today reported substantial growth in the number of Americans taking advantage of health savings accounts (HSAs), with a 19% increase in funded HSAs year-over-year. This comes as total Fidelity HSA assets increased 44% to a record-high $24 billion, making Fidelity the second-largest HSA provider in the country1. In addition to offering the Fidelity HSA, Fidelity Health® helps nearly 2,000 employers and millions of Americans navigate the health landscape through innovative offerings that aim to bring clarity to the ever-changing, complex health care system.

Fidelity Investments® today announced the launch of three actively managed liquid alternatives (alts) ETFs: Fidelity Dynamic Buffered Equity ETF (FBUF), Fidelity Hedged Equity ETF (FHEQ), and Fidelity Yield Enhanced Equity ETF (FYEE). The options-based ETFs are listed on CBOE and available commission-free for individual investors and financial advisors through Fidelity’s online brokerage platforms today, adding to Fidelity’s $14 billion alts lineup.

Several years since the pandemic began, its societal and economic impact is still felt throughout the country, as many Americans now opt for a non-traditional approach to retirement. According to the latest Fidelity Investments® State of Retirement Planning study, which examines how people are viewing and planning for retirement, 2-in-3 (66%) respondents say the pandemic made them more intentional about focusing on their personal passions and dreams in retirement, with Millennials leading the charge at 73%.

With financial stress a reality for more than 9-in-10 women, new research from Fidelity Investments® reveals the financial steps women can take to de-stress and increase their financial confidence. Fidelity’s 2024 Women’s History Month Study, released annually at the start of Women’s History Month, finds stress levels remain consistently high among women no matter their total household income. Taking financial action, however, makes the biggest difference in decreasing stress, with women who made financial moves in the past 6 months indicating less stress than women who haven’t. Fidelity’s research also identifies three financial behaviors to help women of all ages and income levels reduce financial stress: saving for emergencies, saving for retirement and thinking ahead.

According to the latest retirement data from Fidelity Investments®, even with other ongoing financial struggles, retirement savers ended the year on a positive note with improved market conditions and consistent contributions helping boost average account balances to their highest level in nearly two years. Additionally, more than a third (37%) of workers increased their retirement savings contribution rate in 2023.

Saifr®, a compliance solutions provider created by Fidelity Investments®, today announced the acquisition of capabilities from Giant Oak. Saifr will acquire GOST, an artificial intelligence platform for adverse media screening and monitoring that serves financial institutions. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Fidelity Investments® today announced the upcoming launch of two new active ETFs and updates to three existing equity ETFs, available commission-free for individual investors and financial advisors through Fidelity’s online brokerage platforms on February 26, 2024.

The spotlight on love and relationships becomes very bright every February as Americans celebrate their commitment to one another and yet, Fidelity Investments® 2024 Couples and Money study reveals couples may not be as aligned as they think, with 45% of partners admitting they argue about money at least occasionally. While more than 1-in-4 couples identify money as their greatest relationship challenge, the good news is more than half of respondents feel very good or excellent about their financial health and 27% of boomers say building a financial plan together is their love language.

Fidelity Investments®, the nation’s retirement leader1, announces the broad availability of Guaranteed Income Direct, a new solution allowing employees to convert all or a portion of their retirement savings – from a 401(k), 403(b) or 457(b) – into an immediate income annuity to provide consistent, pension-like payments2 throughout retirement.

Saifr®, a compliance solutions provider that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to detect and help correct regulatory compliance and brand risks in financial services marketing content, will be featured in an episode of Advancements with Ted Danson, focusing on how AI can improve compliance processes.

According to Fidelity Investments®’ 2024 New Year’s Financial Resolutions study, Americans are poised for a resolution revolution – improving their financial lives by conquering their financial goals and gearing up for a year of ‘new chapters’ and ‘living practically.’ The study, which has been conducted for the past 15 years, shows two-thirds of Americans are considering a financial resolution for the year ahead, perhaps motivated by their current situation and concerns about the future.

Saifr®, a compliance solutions provider that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help detect and correct regulatory compliance and brand risks in financial services marketing content, has been named to the 2024 RegTech 100 list of the world’s most innovative RegTech companies.

According to the latest data from Fidelity Investments®’ Q3 2023 retirement analysis, account balances have decreased slightly since last quarter, while withdrawals and loans are inching up, showing the impact economic events such as inflation and market volatility can have on Americans‘ wallets—and ultimately their retirement savings. Encouragingly, retirement savings behaviors remain strong and many employers are coming together to find ways to tackle the problem of unexpected expenses, which can derail budgets, short-term financial goals, and even saving for retirement.

Saifr®, a regulatory technology (RegTech) business that helps financial services professionals mitigate brand, regulatory, and reputational risk in public communications, won a RegTech Insight award for Best AI Solution for Regulatory Compliance.

Fidelity Investments® today announced the launch of six new active equity ETFs, which will be available commission-free for individual investors and financial advisors through Fidelity’s online brokerage platforms on November 20, 2023. The new suite includes:

Saifr®, an AI-focused regulatory technology (RegTech) business that assists financial services clients in the review and approval of public communications to help mitigate brand, regulatory, and reputational risk, will be an exhibitor, sponsor, and speaker at RegTech Summit New York on November 16, 2023.

Saifr®, a regulatory technology (RegTech) business that helps financial services professionals mitigate brand, regulatory, and reputational risk in public communications, will be an exhibitor, sponsor, and speaker at The Summit for Asset Management (TSAM) New York on October 31, 2023.

New research from Fidelity Investments® shows that about 1 in 6 advisors[i] have proactively switched firms in the past five years, with independent business models as the top destination. In fact, 94% of advisors are happy with their decision to move, with 85% noting an increased control over their future. Despite this popularity, only half of advisors consider themselves knowledgeable about firm types (54%) and independent models (49%), and only 25% know the various intermediaries (e.g., 3rd party recruiters, consultants, clearing or custody providers) that can help with finding a firm. Advisors may prefer independence and the benefits associated, but the lack of knowledge and fear of the unknown may be preventing them from taking that leap.

With annual enrollment season in full swing, many Americans are facing the pressure of selecting health benefits for themselves and their families. Encouragingly, 8-in-10 Americans rank health benefits among their top priorities for workplace benefits, according to a new Fidelity Health℠ study. Of concern, however, is the more than half (56%) who admit the thought of annual enrollment makes them feel “overwhelmed” or “discouraged” and, according to the clinicians that care for them1, creating a care plan that makes the best use of the benefits selected can often be challenging.

How urgent is the emergency savings crisis in America? According to recent research by Fidelity Investments®, a lack of emergency savings has become a major source of stress for Americans, with 8-in-10 Fidelity participants saying inflation and the cost-of-living are causing them stress, and half saying it is causing them to be distracted at work.i Small wonder, then, that emergency savings ranks as the number one savings goal among participants after retirement.ii While Americans have struggled to maintain emergency savings for years, economic and world events like inflation, market volatility, and the pandemic have exacerbated the issue. Today, the majority of U.S. adults (57%) say they are currently unable to afford a $1,000 emergency expense.

Coming on the heels of a summer where women across the country showcased their buying power, new research from Fidelity Investments® reveals women are leaning into their financial strengths and making smart money moves to gain ground with their finances. Fidelity added 48% more new women customers in 2023 compared to 2019. Younger women lead the way, as the firm added a formidable 99% more new Gen Z women customers and 48% more new Millennial women in the same period.1

Saifr®, an AI-focused regulatory technology (RegTech) business that assists financial services clients in the review and approval of public communications to help mitigate brand, regulatory, and reputational risk, will be a speaker, exhibitor, and sponsor at the National Society of Compliance Professionals (NSCP) National Conference in Dallas, TX on October 16-18, 2023.

Saifr®, a regulatory technology (RegTech) business that helps financial services professionals mitigate brand, regulatory, and reputational risk in public communications, will be a panel participant at RegTech Summit in London on October 5, 2023.

The majority of teens (75%) age 13-17 say investing is important to them, but fewer than 1 in 4 (23%) have actually started, according to Fidelity’s 2023 Teens & Money Study. The report reveals more than half (51%) of teens feel eager or well-informed when it comes to financial topics like saving, spending, or investing. Despite that enthusiasm, nearly a third (31%) of teens who haven't started investing but plan to in the future believe they're too young to start.

Saifr®, an AI-focused regulatory technology (RegTech) business that assists financial services clients in the review and approval of public communications to help mitigate brand, regulatory, and reputational risk, will be both a gold-level sponsor and a panelist at FinTech Global’s Global RegTech Summit USA 2023 in New York City on September 28th.

Fidelity Investments® announced today findings from its Plan Sponsor Attitudes Study, which characterizes 2023 as a year of opportunity for the retirement plan industry. Most notably, rising plan complexities – ranging from investment menu changes to evolving plan designs – are creating avenues for greater advisor impact.

Some good news for retirement savers: for the third straight quarter, Fidelity Investments’ Q2 2023 retirement analysis reveals retirement account balances increased, owing in large part to steady employer and employee contributions and positive market conditions. As one of the country’s leading workplace benefits providers1 and America’s No. 1 IRA provider2, the company’s quarterly analysis of savings behaviors and account balances for more than 45 million IRA, 401(k), and 403(b) retirement accounts reported an increase in 401(k) balances by double digits over Q2 2022—including a 66% increase among Gen Z workers. Young investors3 also saw a 34.4% year-over-year increase in IRA accounts.

New data from Fidelity Investments’® 2023 College Savings and Student Debt Study reveals the next wave of college students are breaking the mold when it comes to their college choices and are prioritizing the path leading to maximum career impact and the brightest financial future. The study, which analyzes the attitudes, behaviors, and expectations about higher education amongst current high school students and recent college graduates, found 7-in-10 recent college graduates claim they would reconsider what they studied in college to secure a better return on their investment.

Fidelity Investments® 2023 M&A Valuation & Deal Structure Survey revealed a 237% increase in registered investment advisor (RIA) M&A deals, with 492 reported transactions, up from 146 for the 2017- 2019 study period. The survey, which examines trends and buyer perceptions related to RIA M&A transactions, also uncovered that buyers reported larger deals vs. the previous study period, with the median AUM of acquired firms increasing from $250M to $400M.

Saifr®, an AI-focused regulatory technology (RegTech) and financial technology (FinTech) business that assists financial services clients in the review and approval of public communications to help mitigate brand, regulatory, and reputational risk, today announced it has been selected as one of the 100 most innovative AI FinTech companies in the financial industry by FinTech Global.

Fidelity Investments® today shared its 22nd annual Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate, revealing that a 65-year-old retiring this year can expect to spend an average of $157,500 in health care and medical expenses throughout retirement1. Fidelity’s 2023 estimate remains the same as last year1, due to expected limits to retiree out of pocket costs for prescription drugs starting in 2025. This is the first time in nearly a decade that the anticipated health care costs for retirees have stayed flat year-over-year. The estimate assumes retirees are enrolled in traditional Medicare, which between Medicare Part A and Part B covers expenses such as hospital stays, doctor visits and services, physical therapy, lab tests and more, and in Medicare Part D, which covers prescription drugs.

Fidelity Investments® announced the launch of six new disruptive ETFs. Fidelity® Disruptive Automation ETF (FBOT), Fidelity® Disruptive Communications ETF (FDCF), Fidelity® Disruptive Finance ETF (FDFF), Fidelity® Disruptive Medicine ETF (FMED), and Fidelity® Disruptive Technology ETF (FDTX) are trading on Nasdaq and available immediately commission-free for individual investors and financial advisors through Fidelity’s online brokerage platforms. Fidelity® Disruptors ETF (FDIF), a fund of funds which will invest in a combination of these five Fidelity ETFs, will be available on June 20, 2023.

According to Fidelity Investments’ recent Retirement Savings Assessment, the challenging economic environment, pandemic and market volatility of the last several years has left many Americans households saving less and investing more conservatively. However, with U.S. employers adding one million1 jobs to the economy in the first quarter of 2023, Americans appear to be refocusing on investing in their future, according to Fidelity’s latest retirement trends analysis.

Fidelity Investments® announced the launch of Fidelity Multi-Strategy Credit Fund, expanding its alternative investments (alts) product lineup which now includes 35 funds and $9.8B in assets under management as of March 31, 2023. As a closed-end interval fund, Fidelity Multi-Strategy Credit Fund will not provide for daily redemptions but will conduct quarterly repurchase offers between 5% and 25% of the fund's outstanding shares at net asset value. The fund will be available on May 25, 2023, for financial advisors on https://institutional.fidelity.com/app/item/RD_9902264.html.

Employers of all sizes view well-being as a key part of their workforce strategy, more so now than in the past, according to the 14th Annual Employer-Sponsored Health & Well-Being Survey, fielded by Fidelity Investments and Business Group on Health.

Faced with high inflation and market volatility, small business owners today are tasked with recruiting top talent in a tight labor market where employees are expecting more from their employers than ever before. According to Fidelity Investment’s 2023 Small Business Retirement Index, there is an opportunity for small employers to offer competitive retirement benefits with only one-third (34%) of small employers currently offering retirement savings to employees today.

As the next step in its ongoing effort to provide relevant financial education, Fidelity Investments® today announces two new digital experiences designed to help the next generation of investors grow their financial know-how and build healthier money habits:

Fidelity Investments® today reported significant growth in its health business, including a 27% increase in funded health savings accounts (HSAs) to 2.8 million, and more than $16 billion in total HSA assets, up from nearly $14 billion last year. This represents just one aspect of the Fidelity Health business, which works to help more than 1,600 employers and millions of Americans with health decisions so they can navigate the journey with ease. From HSAs to reimbursement accounts (like FSAs), health and welfare administrative services, voluntary benefits, and Medicare, Fidelity Health aims to drive confidence among plan sponsors and consumers.

Fidelity Investments® today released its latest Retirement Savings Assessment, revealing a decline in retirement readiness as American savers continue to navigate market volatility and disruption. America’s Retirement Score1 has moved back into the yellow to 78, a five-point decline from an all-time high of 83 reported in 2020, with American savers estimated to have only 78% of the income needed to cover expenses during retirement. In the midst of continuing uncertainty, Fidelity reveals actions that can be taken to help people improve their financial wellness.

In recognition of Women’s History Month, Fidelity Investments® today released new research showing women are taking action with their finances despite external stressors. According to the research, “stress” (46%) is the no. 1 word women use to describe their emotions surrounding money, far more than men (34%), whose top term is “hopeful” (42%). Encouragingly, many women are tackling stress head on by taking control of their finances — nearly 90% of women say they have made money moves recently or are planning to within the next six months. That trend is evident among Fidelity customers, with the number of retail accounts opened annually by women growing 65% between 2019 and 2022 compared to a 60% growth in retail accounts opened annually by men.

Times are challenging everywhere: according to recent Fidelity Investments® research, nearly three in four (74%)1 workers around the world identify the impact of the cost of living and rising inflation as the No. 1 cause of stress in their lives. Yet at the same time, nearly everyone (95%)2 identifies being financially comfortable in retirement as a long-term goal. Fortunately, at least in America, despite these concerns around economic uncertainty, retirement savers have their eye on the prize and are continuing to invest in their future, according to Fidelity’s latest retirement trends analysis.

Contrary to industry stereotypes, young investors can be attractive clients for wealth management firms. New research from Fidelity Investments® shows that 63% of Gen YZiii investors believe working with an advisor is key to achieving financial success and 60% feel a heightened need to engage a financial advisor this year due to economic uncertainty. With 57% of existing client assets expected to pass to the next generation by 2045, this presents a significant growth opportunity for financial advisors – and potential looming business vulnerability for those who do not prioritize engaging with this group, as firms with a younger client base are growing nearly 10 times faster than their peersiv.

As part of its long-standing commitment to financial education and inclusion, Fidelity Investments today announced a $250 million commitment that will provide access to education and support for up to 50,000 Black, Latinx, and historically underserved students through the launch of its Invest in My Education (ME)SM program. The social impact initiative is the latest step in Fidelity’s ongoing commitment to historically underserved communities. In tandem, the firm is continuing to take deliberate steps to strengthen its commitment to diversity and inclusion at every level within its own organization and maintaining its focus on delivering relevant products and services to its increasingly diverse customers.

Fidelity Investments® today announced it is furthering its commitment to the private market with the acquisition of Shoobx®, a leading provider of automated equity management operations and financing software for private companies at all growth stages, up to and including an initial public offering (IPO). Financial terms of the acquisition are not being disclosed.

Fidelity Investments® today announced the expansion of its rapidly growing alternative investments (alts) product lineup with the launch of the Fidelity Private Credit Fund, a business development company (BDC). The new BDC is available today for individual investors* and distributed through financial advisors and intermediaries in most states**, and we continue to look for opportunities to expand our offering.

As the country prepares to ring in the new year, Americans are feeling less-than-optimistic when it comes to the year ahead, according to Fidelity Investments®’ 2023 New Year’s Financial Resolutions Study. In a dramatic shift from last year’s results, more than a third of respondents say they’re in a worse financial situation than last year, likely due to inflation concerns, and only 65% believe they’ll be better off in the coming year (vs. 72% in the last study). The good news? About half say they’re ready to “live sensibly” or “plan ahead,” which means making practical resolutions and staying focused on balancing short-term and long-term financial goals. And, the next generation1 continues to serve as a beacon of hope, with more than three-quarters expressing confidence they will be better off financially in 2023.

Not surprisingly, ongoing market swings and concerns about inflation continue to cause financial stress among retirement savers. In fact, according to recent Fidelity Investments® research1, the percentage of individuals with negative feelings about their finances (32%) is now greater than those who have positive feelings (30%), which is a stark contrast to just a year ago, when the percentage of workers who felt positive about their finances (45%) was more than twice the percentage of those with negative feelings (22%).

Fidelity Institutional® today announced new account opening functionalities, as well as enhancements to its open architecture digital store, Integration Xchange, and its advisor technology platform, WealthscapeSM. These improvements are part of Fidelity’s commitment to elevate advisors’ digital experience, making it easier for firms to create technology stacks that best support their clients’ evolving needs. New research from Fidelity identified advisors’ top considerations when it comes to using technology platforms for account opening, including the speed of account opening (83%), processes in place to minimize errors (75%), the ability to open and fund accounts digitally (74%), and the ability for straight-through processing (72%)i.

Nearly six-in-10 (58%) institutional investors surveyed in the fourth annual Fidelity Digital AssetsSM Institutional Investor Digital Assets Study were invested in digital assets in the first half of 2022, a six-point increase year-over-year. While turbulent market conditions may have impacted some institutional investors’ impression of digital assets, the trend points to continued interest in the digital assets space overall.

Fidelity Investments® today announced that it will offer fully funded undergraduate degrees to many of its employees, providing access to education for early-career customer service representativesi. The program will fully pay for tuition, books, fees, and taxes, providing a truly debt-free education for select four- and two-year programs. Fidelity, which hired over 16,000 people in 2021 and is on track to exceed that figure this year, has increased its customer service organization by 127% over the past three years. This new program is an investment in the next generation of financial services talent and part of a larger expansion of Fidelity’s education benefits, making education and the most in-demand skills accessible to all.

Fidelity Investments® today announced the expansion of its direct indexing capabilities with the launch of the Fidelity Institutional Custom Separately Managed Account (SMA) offering for select wealth management firms and institutions.

As women continue to make strides forward and focus on what follows the pandemic, they are prioritizing what’s important to them: finances, career and overall well-being. According to recent Fidelity Investments® research, women have a more positive outlook on their careers, relationships, caregiving responsibilities and the impacts of the pandemic, compared to last year. Despite this optimism, with current economic factors such as 40-year-high inflation, 47% of women say their outlook on money and the economy has gotten worse over the past year, likely contributing to the burnout so many women are dealing with, and as a result, many are looking for guidance on their long-term financial outlooks.

Fidelity Institutional®, the division of Fidelity Investments dedicated to providing technology, solutions and insights to wealth management firms and institutions, today announced the Fidelity Institutional Integration on Salesforce AppExchange, an enhancement designed to save time and deliver a more streamlined and connected platform experience. The integration, built on Financial Services Cloud, is currently in pilot for RIA and family office clients and is expected to be made available to all Fidelity Institutional clients by early 2023. It is the latest example of Fidelity’s focus on a seamless online customer experience across its businesses.

With student loan debt squarely in the spotlight once again, employers are being tasked with guiding employees toward much-needed relief. To this end, workplace benefits leader Fidelity Investments® is teaming up with Summer, a certified B Corporation dedicated to serving student loan borrowers across the country, to dramatically simplify the process of applying for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through an automated software solution. The new solution, which will empower millions of nonprofit and public sector employees struggling with student loan debt to find much needed relief, is now available to help eligible individuals apply through a more efficient process.

Fidelity Investments® today announced the expansion of its alternative investments (alts) product lineup with the launch of Fidelity Hedged Equity Fund (FEQHX). The new fund seeks to construct an equity portfolio with similar risk-return characteristics to the S&P 500® Index, with downside protection in certain market conditions, that could serve as a core portfolio holding. Additionally, Fidelity Macro Opportunities Fund (FAQAX) and Fidelity Risk Parity Fund (FAPSX), which recently launched for financial advisors, are now available to retail investors. The three alts funds are available today for individual investors and advisors to purchase commission-free through Fidelity’s online brokerage platforms.

American families are both committed to higher education and concerned about associated rising expenses as data from Fidelity Investments® 2022 College Savings Indicator Study indicates most parents are concerned about inflation and the rising cost of college, however 81% feel college is still worth the cost. Even so, 29% aren’t sure what that cost will be by the time their child enrolls and 6-in-10 use “their own best guess” to estimate college costs.

Fidelity Investments®, one of the industry’s most diversified and largest financial services companies, today announced the results of the 13th edition of its Plan Sponsor Attitudes Study. The study characterizes 2022 as a year of change for the retirement plan industry with plan activity and competition amongst plan advisors hitting multiyear highs.

What’s the level of anxiety among American retirement savers as a result of increasing interest rates, rising inflation and the ongoing impact of the pandemic? Understandably high. In fact, according to recent Fidelity Investments® research2, more than half of American workers indicate they are “extremely or very concerned” about the health and stability of the economy—and as a result, nearly 1 in 5 (19%) say they have adjusted their retirement strategy and are taking a more conservative approach to their retirement savings.

While taking on care responsibilities for a loved one with a disability or special needs can be a truly rewarding experience, it can also involve tremendous personal sacrifice. As part of an ongoing commitment to secure financial well-being for everyone, Fidelity Investments® today released its latest American Caregivers study, revealing 7 out of 10 caregivers are so focused on caregiving duties they put off addressing their own needs. And while the pandemic made some challenges, such as work flexibility, a bit easier for some, it also intensified other obstacles: many caregivers anticipate long-term challenges securing work income and resources, getting health care for loved ones, and even working as a family to provide care. Two-thirds felt more isolated due to the pandemic—and 24% have concerns about long-term isolation.

Fidelity Investments today announced a year-long relationship with the Connecticut Sun aimed at providing financial education and access to the next generation of young women. Based in New England where Fidelity has deep roots, this collaboration with the WNBA team provides Fidelity with several opportunities to educate and engage young people when it comes to learning about money and basic financial concepts like spending, saving, and investing.